Wildfire smoke could impact statewide air quality

Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release - August 16, 2010

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OLYMPIA – Smoke from several wildfires burning in Washington and British Columbia is spreading throughout the state.

That trend is expected to continue for a few days. Some clearing of hazy skies is expected later this week, possibly by Wednesday.

“Smoke from a wildfire can travel rapidly, affecting air quality hundreds of miles downwind from the fire’s location,” said Stu Clark, Air Quality Program manager for the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology). “Smoke pollutes the air you breathe and harms your health, especially if you have existing health conditions.”

The Washington State Department of Health recommends that people who are sensitive to air pollution limit the time that they spend outdoors.

The biggest health threat from smoke comes from the fine particles. These tiny particles can get into your eyes and lungs, where they can cause health problems such as burning eyes, runny nose, and illness such as bronchitis. Fine particles also can aggravate heart and lung diseases.

Children also are more susceptible to smoke because:

Their respiratory systems are still developing.
They breathe more air (and air pollution) per pound of body weight than adults.
They’re more likely to be active outdoors.

When smoke levels are high enough, even healthy people may be affected. It’s important to limit your exposure to smoke – especially if you are susceptible. Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself from wildfire smoke:

Pay attention to air quality reports. Ecology uses the Washington Air Quality Advisory (WAQA) to inform people about the health effects of air pollution. WAQA includes information about ground-level ozone, fine particles and carbon monoxide. WAQA is very similar to the national Air Quality Index (AQI). Both use color-coded categories to show when air quality is good, moderate or unhealthy. The difference is that WAQA shows the health effects of fine particles at lower levels than the AQI does. In other words, WAQA shows that air quality is unhealthy earlier – when there are fewer particles in the air. Here’s where to find WAQA: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/air_monitoring_data/WAQA_Intro_Page.html
Use common sense. WAQA and AQI may not have immediate information on conditions in your specific area. If it looks and smells smoky outside, it’s probably not a good time to go for a jog, mow the lawn or allow children to play outdoors.
If you have asthma or other lung disease, follow your doctor’s directions on taking medicines and follow your asthma management plan. Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen.
If you have heart or lung disease, if you are an older adult, or if you have children, talk with your doctor about whether and when you should leave the area. When smoke is heavy for a prolonged period of time, fine particles can build up indoors even though you may not see them.
Some room air cleaners can help reduce particulate levels indoors, as long as they are the right type and size for your home. For more information about home air cleaners, go to www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/residair.html
Don’t think that paper “comfort” or “dust masks” are the answer. The kinds of masks that you commonly can buy at the hardware store are designed to trap large particles, such as sawdust. But they generally will not protect your lungs from the fine particles in smoke.

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Media Contact: Seth Preston, Ecology communications manager, 360-407-6848; 360-584-5744 cell; seth.preston@ecy.wa.gov

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